[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/38215089″]
Airhead (also known as Robert McAndrews) has been around for quite a while, but irritatingly, seems to have released almost nothing (with the notable exception of his 2010 collaboration with James Blake). Despite this, he has managed to attract the attention of a good few people, including Mary-Anne Hobbs, and Electronic Exploration’s Rob Booth, who (along with his listeners) chose Airhead’s EE mix his favourite of 2011 (and not without reason – it is incredible).
It’s not as if he hasn’t been busy though – he’s been filling his time by providing his services as guitarist for James Blake’s live sets. But it seems as if 2012 may be a busy year for Airhead. Having just provided a remix for Shlohmo’s recent Vacation EP, McAndrews is set to release an EP with R&S records (listen to ‘Wait’ above), with his debut album also in the pipeline.
The James Blake connection should give some idea as to what to expect soundwise, but Airhead is by no means another one of the army of Blake-esque imitators. He combines the glitchy manipulations with a post-rock aesthetic, replete with surging crescendos and ambient guitars, which make for a particularly cerebral sound.
Wait/South Congress is available to preorder from R&S, to be released on March 19th.
Airhead’s debut album has no release date as of yet, but is definitely something to look out for.